Councillors debate concerns over lack of funding in Wiltshire's youth

A draft framework for young people in Wiltshire has passed through the council’s children’s select committee despite expressions of “disappointment” over its scope.

The Wiltshire Youth Framework sets out the current youth offer in the county and considers how partners work to provide educational and recreational leisure-time activities that support the development and wellbeing of young people outside of the school environment.

It was discussed at a meeting on Wednesday, January 15 in Trowbridge County Hall, during which committee chairman Cllr Jon Hubbard said he could not “disguise his disappointment”.

READ MORE: Councillors reluctantly support plans to join devolution programme

The children's select committee chairman, Cllr Jon Hubbard. (Image: Wiltshire Council) Cabinet member for public health, communities, leisure and libraries Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling told attendees about a successful bid for an additional £100,000 of funding.

He said: “It’s going to be used to increase capacity, training and support for voluntary and community sector youth organisations in Wiltshire.”

It was noted that although the Police and Crime Commissioner had matched this amount with £100,000 of their own, Swindon Borough Council had not been able to contribute.

Cllr Adrian Foster said he was “very disappointed” in the figure and described it as “totally insufficient”.

He said: “A delivery plan is the most essential part of this, otherwise this is all just words.

“We need to see what is physically going to happen.”

He added: “The biggest thing that the voluntary organisation needs is a source of funding to pay for a youth worker.”

Cllr Hubbard agreed, stating: “I can’t disguise my disappointment that it has taken us 18 months to come up with something that says oh, gosh, yes, we need to do something.

“Because what we don’t have here is an action plan of anything that we are going to do, what we have got here is the recognition that there is a job to do and the definition of some aspects of that job.”

He argued: “We need to see something that actually tells us how this investment is going to be made, what the impact of this investment will be, what the product that comes out of this investment will be, and how we will work with the voluntary sector.”

SEE ALSO: County town car wash to be demolished for Aldi parking among latest applications

Cllr Blair-Pilling said: “I would suggest that we collectively have our glass half full here.

“We have now in place a much greater understanding, we have now a much stronger relationship and understanding of all the players in this.”

He assured Cllr Hubbard that clear objectives and tasking would soon be produced by the team.

Cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills Cllr Laura Mayes noted: “I think we need to get away from this obsession with youth centres and youth clubs – let’s look at it as all positive activities for young people that help them to grow.”

The framework details three vision statements to deliver “a comprehensive and inclusive local youth offer that enables all young people to engage in positive activities, access support services and enhances their ability to contribute to their communities”.

The first describes all young people in Wiltshire having “sufficient access to safe, diverse and engaging leisure-time activities and services that supports their personal, social development and well-being”.

The second reads: “Young people are engaged with in an effective, efficient and considerable manner, and their voice helps to shape and influence leisure-time activities and services.”

The third and final vision statement states: “Partners in Wiltshire collaborate and communicate effectively with one another, working with trust and respect for the betterment of young people.”

Actions to deliver these goals include a strategic focus to attract national and regional funding investment whilst utilising local funding more efficiently.